Founded in 1951, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is Ireland’s Premiere Cultural Movement. When you join Comhaltas, you join people in more than 400 branches worldwide in support of the traditional Irish Arts of Music, Dance and Language. We welcome new members. Please contact the Membership Secretary for membership information or visit us on the web at http://sf.ccewest.org

From the Chairman

Feabhra 2006February 2006

The Newsletter of the Cooley-Keegan Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann

SCÉAL EILE

The next General Meetings of the Membership will be on Tuesday February 7th and March 7th at 7:30pm at the United Irish Cultural Center.

A Chairde,

Well, it’s been a month full of news both good and bad, and that’s no mistake. One the good side, Jonathan Coxhead and Jenny Valcov have announced their engagement.

January was also the month of passings; on the 9th, John “Jack” Culhane passed away and January 15th saw the passing of Francis “Frank” Lynch. They will be missed, and I extend my deepest sympathy to their families.

Kasey MillerE has taken up the St. Patricks Day Parade project again this year. Talk to Kasey if you want to help out or participate in the parade. There will be a planning meeting at the Plough on February 2nd at 7:30.

Slán, Michael

March EventsStart planning for events this March: March 4th --Holy Name March 4 March 5th -- Laguna Honda; St. Anne’s Home; March 4th-17th--Seachtain na Gaeilge(details page 2) March 10th -- Grand Marshall Dinner March 11th -- Star of the Sea; St. Gabriels Church March 12th -- Parade March 17th -- Shannon Ceili Band at UICC

General Meetings

Ceili’s this MonthPetaluma Ceili

February 4th, Petaluma Ceili: Come for a fun time in the North Bay. See attached fl yer for more information.

CCE Night at UICCFebruary 18th, CCE night at UICC: Erin Shrader, Richard Mandel and Marla Fibish will be playing. Come early for dinner.

House ConcertsMatt and Shannon Heaton on 2/4 and Greenbridge on 2/25 see www.sbconcerts.com for information.

Irish Network CeiliMarch 4 at St. Athanasius Church Hall, 160 N. Rengstorff Ave. in Mountain View; Gathering at 8 p.m.; Music will begin approx. 8:30 p.m. A quick lesson will begin at 8:10 p.m. Admission is $8 for Irish Network members; $12 for non-members (2 complimentary drink tix included). LIVE MUSIC! All experience levels welcome. No partner necessary. These past few ceilis have been wonderful! Let’s keep up the momentum! Contact: Michael Murphy (415-786-1337 or irishboogieman@yahoo.com)

Sincere sympathy to Margaret Lynch on the recent passing of her husband, Frank Lynch. Frank was a long time member of Comhaltas. We will be paying special tribute to Frank in our March newsletter

We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Katherine Scanlon on the recent passing of her son-in-law, Jack Culhane, and also brother-in-law to Joannie & Francie O’Leary.

Condolences

CHAIRMAN/WEBMASTER: MICHAEL DUFFY (chair@ccewest.org or webmaster@ccewest.org)VICE CHAIRMAN: MICHAEL RIEMER (vicechair@ccewest.org) (510) 548-4727PUBLIC RELATIONS: JOSEPHINE BROGAN (pr@ccewest.org) (415) 681-4803

SECRETARY/REGISTRAR: JOANNIE O’LEARY (secretary@ccewest.org) (415) 664-6579TREASURER: MAUREEN MURPHY (treasurer@ccewest.org)

TREORAÍ NA GAEILGE: NIKKI RAGSDALE (Gaeilge@ccewest.org)NEWSLETTER EDITOR: TIM SULLIVAN (sceal@ccewest.org)

YOUTH OFFICER: Martine MillerE

Oíche Ghaeltachta, Dé Domhnaigh, 19 Feabhra 2006. Hayward, 6:30 i.n. (3ú Domhnach de mhí) - comhrá as Gaeilge, seisiún ceoil agus amhránaíocht ar an tsean-nós. “Ádh an phóta” don dhinnéar: 6:30; seisiún thart fá 8:00 i.n. An chéad ceann eile: 19 Márta 2006. Seoladh agus treoreacha le fáil: gaeilge@ccewest.org, (510) 881-5958

Gaeltacht Night, Sunday 19 Febuary 2006, 6:30p.m. (3rd Sunday of the month) - conversation in Irish, music and sean-nós singing session. “Pot luck” dinner: 6:30; session: about 8:00 p.m. Next one: 19 March 2006. Address and directions: gaeilge@ccewest.org, (510) 881 5958.

Gaeilge - Irish Language

The next Singing and Storytelling session will be hosted by Imelda White on Friday February 3rd. Contact info:

275 Lassen Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94043. Tel: 650-964-7643.Mountain View.

The March event will be hosted on the 3rd by Michael Timpanaro-Perrotta in Cupertino

Song and Storytelling

I wish to thank all who contributed to the music fund in my fathers memory. The plaque presented to me at the November Ceili is a beautiful memento and representation for the music fund. My father did sing at house parties. Everyone had a party piece and we all knew his song. He did love to dance and would tell me stories of going up to Clare to do the thrashing and he loved to go to the dances after the work was done. On a Friday or Saturday night he would bring out his accordion to play and sing for us at home. He was proud of his culture. He would have been embarrassed and deeply honoured to be remembered in this way.

A very special thank you to Kasey for organizing this and to Kelly for the beautiful artwork. I was deeply touched by this memorial more than words could ever say. I feel honoured and blessed to know such a great group of people. My family and I thank you from the bottom of hearts. Mary McDonagh

Thank You from Mary

Member News

Congratulations and best wishes to Jenny Valcov and Jonathan Coxhead who got engaged during a recent visit to the UK. Angeline LeLeux and William Bajzek also announced their engagement recently. Best of luck from all your friends in Comhaltas.

Congratulations to Martin Howard on winning $95 at the Christmas Ceili Cash Drawing. Get Well Wishes for a speedy recovery to: Rosemary McMonagle with a broken leg and Maureen Bertoli with a broken arm.

Someone left a Pierre Cardin XL Black jacket at the Christmas Ceili (a 2001 Paris Metro schedule was in the pocket). Contact Moe Murphy if it is yours.

(Irish Week 2006, 4 March - 17 March)tuilleadh eolais: gaeilge@ccewest.org, (510) 881 5958.— 5 Márta: Feis Scannáin Gaeilge & Ceoil Traidisiúnta na hÉireann. (Irish Language Film & Traditional Music Festival) 3pm UICC, San Francisco— 11 Márta: An Dara Feis Scannáin Éireannach Bhá Monterey. (The Second Montery Bay Irish Film Festival.) Eolas (info): www.folkplanet.com/cce.— 12 Márta: Aifreann Gaeilge, le cór, rinceoirí agus ceoltóirí. (Mass in Irish, with choir, dancers, musicians.) 11:30 am. St. Joseph’s Church, Mountain View— 14 Márta: Oíche Airneál, sa bhreacGhaeltacht Berkeley. Ceol, scéalaíocht, amhránaíocht, spraoi & craic. (Night Visiting. Music, stories, singing, fun & chat) 7pm, Beckett’s Pub, Berkeley

Seachtain na Gaeilge 2006

It’s been 20 years since the “burying” of our first Wren way back in 1985, and it’s just as fun now as it was then! For a Monday this past December 26th, the packed pubs and houses, especially in the beginning, and the generous response from the patrons throughout, was astounding. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to Theresa, owner of Shannon Arms Pub, for offering her place as the initial meeting point this year for our yearly quest. Her generous donation to Cooley-Keegan Branch and hospitality will never be forgotten. We were welcomed with open arms at the Shannon Arms indeed. We were even allowed to partake in the pub grub usually reserved for the Monday Night Football watchers. How nice!

And speaking of hospitality, the whole population of Ireland (so it seemed) scrunched into the Keehan’s house. Thanks to Missy and Vincy Keehan for offering their house (and yet more food) as the secondary meeting place. Among the festivities there, we were entertained with step dancing gracefulness and power of the “three-hand” from Stephanie, Ashlin and our resident Wren stepper, Jennifer Milligan. We also danced the Connemara Hornpipe for the first time in honor of host, Vincy, who hails from there.

And if we weren’t gorged and spoiled enough, there’s the Lundy’s residence where previous attendance records was broken there as well. In about our seventh year there, one of Seamus Lundy’s daughters gave a dramatically powerful recitation. Paddy Brogan, brogue and all, gave us his world famous medleys of country and Irish songs. Martin Howard, with his Jews’ harp kept the rhythm of the evening hopping so far. And this was all happening with the steps provided by Jennifer Milligan and the Lundy clan. Thanks to Maureen and Seamus Lundy for being integral parts of the San Francisco Wren tradition.

I have limited space to write here, but I would be remiss to not offer much deserved gratitude to the remaining Pubs on our list as well: Costello’s and 4 Deuces; Penny Reilly’s; Durty Nelly’s; Blarney Stone; Ireland’s 32; and out traditional final stop, The Plough and Stars. Of course, the dynamic support of the dancers and supporters over these 20 years will always be cherished. The same goes for grand job of Maureen Murphy and Josephine Brogan of minding the “pennies” this time round and previous years.

And what is the Wren Boys without the Roving Wren Boys Orchestra?!

Wren Boys 2005This year we had Oceanlight, Angeline LeLeux, William Bajzek, Lew and Jennifer Milligan, impressive rookie wren, Mike Knapp, and Miliosa and Richard Lundy for sharing their talents and enduring a whopping 5 and 1/2 hours worth of music.

Hope to see you all at the next Wren where there may be some exciting changes in order to help us increase the already fun experience even more. Stay tuned...

Note: We Wrens missed visiting Katherine Scanlon’s place this year very much. But due to a family emergency during the Holidays, it wasn’t to be. For the past 20 years, the humble abode on Cole street has been a grand staple in our SF Wrens tradition. We are truly grateful to Katherine’s (and Joannie’s) contributions to the success of the Wren and everybody’s enjoyment over the years. We are very much looking forward to visiting the Scanlon’s residence in the future.

One of our esteemed Wrens and Wrenmobile drivers, Frank Lynch, has passed away. Our condolences, love and gratitude, goes out to Frank, Margaret and family.

See y’all next year,The Captain of the Wren (aka Michael Murphy)

January’s Children’s Ceili witnessed a spike in attendance again. What decorum, support, and exemplary behavior shown by the lovely kids. I tell you, they do their parents proud. Alas, I, Michael Murphy, will be stepping down as coordinator after 8 1/2 years, and the scheduling and administrative duties now goes to key volunteers, Maureen Murphy and music coordinator, Michael Riemer. I am very delighted to announce that Bernadette Flynn will take over the dancing. Let’s continue to support a worthy activity that Cooley-Keegan promotes and produces and welcome Bernie in her new role.

Thanks goes out to Michael Spaid for demonstrating his concertina for the kids, and 11-year old, Sean O’Donnell for sharing his talent on the accordion with his peers on Jan. 15; and Kids’ Ceili Band musicians, Darcy and Will with their generous contributions and tremendous talent, and keeping Michael company. Hey, we’re setting great examples for the kids, as well as learning from them with their gleeful, respectful and infectiously enthusiastic approach to Irish culture. I’ll keep in touch and visit from time to time, but with the volunteers, parents and children’s overwhelming and much appreciated support since 1997, we’re in great shape. May this valuable event thrive for many years to come!

Michael Murphy

Childrens Ceili

Address Correction Requested February 2006 Scéal Eile

Cooley-Keegan Branch ofComhaltas Ceoltóirí ÉireannP.O. Box 16244San Francisco, CA 94116

1st Thursday: Plough and Stars in San Francisco at 8:00pm. Music by the Shannon Céilí Band.

2nd through last Thursdays: • Lessons at the United Irish Cultural Center (UICC) in San Francisco at 7:30pm -- check at bar for room. Taped music. • Plough and Stars in San Francisco at 9:30pm. Tipsy House typically plays on the 2nd 4th and last Thursday; Shannon Ceili Band on the 1st and 3rd Thursday. Dancers are encouraged to contribute $5 to support the live music.

Set Dancing

Slow Seisiún: • Ireland’s 32, starting at 7:30pm on the 2nd and last Mondays of each month. This is intended for beginners learning to play traditional Irish tunes. Starting at 9:00pm more experienced musicians are encouraged to join in on the faster paced, more Traditional Seisiún which follows. All are welcome to come listen as well. Contact Michael Riemer or Michael Duffy for more information.

• Plough and Stars, starting at 8:30 on the second to last Tuesday of each month. This Seisiún follows the same format as the Ireland’s 32 Slow Seisiún.

Seisiún: - 8:30 Sundays at the Plough and Stars, various hosts.

Song and Storytelling Seisiún: Held on the first Friday of each month, check the calendar for exact details.

Seisiún

COMHALTAS CEOLTÓIRÍ ÉIREANN

THE COOLEY-KEEGAN BRANCH

PRESENTS THE 2ND

PETALUMA CÉILÍ IRISH DANCE, MUSIC, SONG

4TH FEBRUARY 2006, SATURDAY 6PM TO 10:30PM

PETALUMA MASONIC CENTER 9 WESTERN AVE. 94952

JOIN US FOR AN EVENING OF SET AND CÉILÍ DANCING

NO PARTNER NEEDED! NO DANCE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY

LIVE MUSIC MUSIC SEISIUN 7:00PM - 10:30PM 6:00PM - 6:45PM

ENTERTAINMENT BY KEENAN IRISH DANCE SCHOOL

ADMISSION: ADULTS: $10 CHILDREN UNDER 12: FREE

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:

Finbar Devine’s Irish Pub, 145 Kentucky St. Downtown Petaluma 707-762-9800 Sean’s Antiques 18 Western Ave. (across from dance hall) 707-766-9300 or 415-731-0758

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

MARY MCDONAGH (707) 765-0416

EMAIL:irishsetdancer@yahoo.com

Please visit our website at: http://sf.ccewest.org

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FEBRUARY 2006DÉ DOMHNAIGH

SUNDAY

DÉ LUAN

MONDAY

DÉ H-AOINE

FRIDAY

DÉARDAOIN

THURSDAY

DÉ CÉADAOIN

WEDNESDAY

DÉ MAIRT

TUESDAY

DÉ SATHAIRN

SATURDAY

Seisiún - Plough and Stars

Set Dancing & Parade Planning Mtg Plough & Stars w/ Shannon Ceili Band

Song SeisiúnImelda White’s Mountain View

Petaluma Ceili

Seisiún - Plough and Stars

CCÉ Meeting U.I.C.C.

MusicNo Hiding Place starring Judy Forrestat Plough & Stars

Set Dancing UICC for class Plough & Stars w/ Tipsy House

Seisiún - Plough and Stars

Slow Seisiún Ireland’s 32

Set Dancing UICC for class Plough & Stars w/ Shannon Ceili Band

CCÉ Night U.I.C.C.

Oíche Ghaeltachta Nikki’s House -- HaywardSeisiún - Plough and Stars

Slow Seisiún Plough and Stars

Set Dancing UICC for class Plough & Stars w/ Tipsy House

Seisiún - Plough and Stars

Slow Seisiún Ireland’s 32

Set Dancing Plough & Stars w/ Shannon Ceili Band

Song SeisiúnMichael Timpanaro’s Cupertino

Ireland’s 32 - 3920 Geary Blvd. (Between 3rd and 4th), San Francisco, (415) 386-6173I.O.O.F. Hall - 113 South B Street, San MateoNikki’s House - Call or e-mail for directions: (510) 881 5958 or gaeilge@ccewest.orgPlough and Stars - 116 Clement Ave. (Between 2nd and 3rd), San Francisco, (415) 751-1122U.I.C.C. - 2700 45th Ave. (At Sloat Blvd.), San Francisco, (415) 661-2700